Police are searching for two "disrespectful knuckleheads" who are accused of damaging the Cenotaph in Martin Place while clambering up the shrine and placing a traffic cone on one of the statue's heads.

The men were caught on CCTV camera just before 3am on Saturday smiling and posing for photographs with the east-facing bronze statue, which had a red cone perched on top of its helmet.

After taking the photos, the men left cenotaph and a passer-by removed the traffic cone from the shrine to the nation's war dead.

Wanted ... one of the men accused of damaging the Cenotaph. Photo: NSW Police Media Unit

But a short time later, police received another report that two men had been seen climbing the statue in Martin Place.

Advertisement

Officers from The Rocks Local Area Command inspected the memorial and found a traffic cone had been placed over the statue's bayonet, which was bent.

The officers searched the area but did not find anyone.

A traffic cone was placed on top of statue's helmet. Photo: NSW Police Media Unit

Police said security footage from Martin Place showed the two men climbing onto the statue, as well as vandalising plants in a nearby flowerbed.

Police seized the traffic cone for forensic examination, and attempted to repair the bayonet by straightening it.

Detective Inspector Damian Loone, crime manager for The Rocks Local Area Command, said police hoped to speak to the two men, as well as a third man who was shown on footage stopping the pair as they walked past the Cenotaph.

“We are hoping the three men might recognise themselves and contact us, or someone might know who they are and get them to speak with us," he said.

“It is important we find out what they know about the damage to the Cenotaph.”

On the weekend, the NSW president of the RSL, Don Rowe, said the people who vandalised the statue were probably "brainless yahoos, probably with a gutful of grog, just being stupid".

It is the second time in four months the Cenotaph has been vandalised and Mr Rowe said the maximum penalty - a fine of $4400 and community service - should be imposed.

"They have to be dealt with to discourage others," he said.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Victor Dominello, condemned the "act of desecration" and said it would anger the community at large, particularly so close to Australia Day.

"Veterans and their families will be outraged by this attack on one of the state's sacred shrines dedicated to those who fought and died for their country," he said.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.